John 2 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

When Jesus went to the Temple in Jerusalem, He was very upset with what was happening there. He made a whip and began clearing out those unduly profiting in God’s House. Let’s ask ourselves; “If Jesus came to our church next Sunday, what would He do?”

I don’t mean to get legalistic here. I am challenging us to come to church with a pure motive … not to profit ourselves but to serve and add value to the worship/growth experience of every attender.

Some people are always looking at how they can profit. Let’s be looking at how we can build-up and edify our fellow worshippers. Pray as if the success or failure of the service depends upon us alone.

What then is the right course, believers? When you meet together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation (disclosure of special knowledge), a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be constructive and edifying and done for the good of all the church. [1 Cor. 14:26 AMP]

Jn. 1 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

John1 addressees the baptism of Christ. Supposedly at the site where this happened, I was baptized when on an Israel sightseeing tour some years back. It was a memory I cherish.

Believe me, the Jordan river is NOT GLAMOROUS. It’s muddy. The banks are overgrown with vegetation. I can understand why Naaman balked at dipping in the Jordan seven times for his healing. The rivers in Damascus were much cleaner. Nevertheless, he finally obeyed at his servant’s begging. He was HEALED!

Baptism is something every Christian should experience. Like Jesus, we can fulfill all righteousness by being buried in water and rising to walk in newness of life. [Rom. 6]

John 1 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

The Light (Jesus) shined in the darkness, but the darkness

• Comprehended it not
• Has never overpowered it
• Doesn’t extinguish it
• Has not suppressed it
• Has never put it out

You get the idea. Darkness, the kingdom of Satan, loses it power when it collides with the Light – Jesus.

We need to keep the Light of Christ front and center in all we do. We are destroying the works of the evil one. Take courage.

Luke 21, 24 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

With the historical appearance of the Northern Lights in the Southern U.S., what’s the message?

“There will appear signs in the sun, moon and stars; and on earth, nations will be in anxiety and bewilderment at the sound and surge of the sea,” [Luke 21:25]

Jesus said this about the days just before His Coming. These signs, the unrest in our world, the wars, the recent tsunamis (surge of the sea), these are indicators that we should be doing what we can to bring a harvest of souls into God’s Kingdom.

Luke 24. [NIV Dramatized Audio]

In appearing to His disciples after His resurrection, Jesus made it clear that every prophetic word concerning Him must be fulfilled. God DOES NOT waste words nor lie. We shouldn’t either. Our words and our integrity are the few things of importance we actually possess.

Luke 23. [NIV Dramatized Audio]

The crowd and Roman soldiers cried, “Save yourself” as Jesus was being crucified. He didn’t Save Himself. Only the Father was in a position to do it. Christ willingly allowed Himself to be crucified.

We can’t save ourselves, but like Christ, we can offer ourselves. He does the saving.

“Men don’t climb – they are lifted.”

Luke 23. [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Jesus gazed upon the mob who had cried out for His death. With His dying breaths, He uttered, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing!”

We may be refuted by those we think have the wrong doctrine or are plotting our demise. We should be like Jesus and … FORGIVE THEM.

Luke 23. [NIV Dramatized Audio]

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day accused him of stirring up the people when He taught. Oh, if this could be the practical goal of every teacher, especially Bible teachers. Accuracy, of course, but to inspire and motivate the hearers to action is the ultimate goal.

It’s better to aim at something and miss. If you aim at nothing, you will SURELY hit it.

Luke 22. [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Scripture says Jesus went, “as usual,” to the Mt.of Olives to pray. It was His spot.

When I was forming my prayer habits in the 70s, I had a prayer place. I got up every morning and went to the church to pray. This week I’m in Findlay, Ohio, for Patty’s nephew’s college graduation. I hope to again visit my prayer spot.

Being scheduled and intentional about prayer is spiritually healthy.

Luke 22. [ NIV Dramatized Audio]

Jesus told Peter that his faith would diminish but that Christ’s prayers would bring him back to a strong faith.

We can get frightened or discouraged when those we love don’t love the Lord as they should. That’s our signal to up the prayer for them.

Notice … Jesus didn’t merely SNAP HIS FINGERS. He PRAYED.